Boost for 60 in 60 as fishing participation rises in US

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The RBFF’s 60 in 60 initiative to grow angling in the US has been boosted by the latest participation figures that were released this week.

↑ Frank Peterson, RBFF President & CEO, has welcomed the latest figures on fishing participation in the US, which have shown a second consecutive rise.

The US-wide 60 in 60 initiative, an ambitious plan to have 60 million anglers in the country within 60 months, has been given a boost by participation figures set to be announced.

The Recreational Boating & Fishing Federation (RBFF), which is behind the campaign, says that the number of people taking part in the sport has risen for the second year in a row. Figures confirming this are set to be released in the Outdoor Foundation Outdoor Recreation Participation Report and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Historical Fishing Licence Sales Data.

Highlight figures show:

Fishing participation rose 4% to 41.9 million in 2017;

Fishing licence sales increased 1.3%, making a 4.3% increase over the last decade;

11.6 million youths (aged between 6-17)participated – up 5.4% from 11 million in 2016;

Female participation rose 3.1% to 17.1 million;

Three million people had their first taste of angling in 2017 – up 21% from 2.5 million in 2016;

Hispanic participation – a key area for the RBFF – increased 11% to 4.2% in 2017.

“As we continue to move closer to our 60 in 60 goal, news like this is incredibly encouraging,” said RBFF President and CEO, Frank Peterson. “It is obvious the work RBFF and the industry are doing is working. More and more consumers are realising the joys of fishing, and with angling being the number one activity carried out from a boat, the entire industry has plenty to celebrate.

“Perhaps, most importantly, all this means more funding for critical conservatuon programmes across the nation.”